Method for cigarette making

ABSTRACT

Filter tip cigarettes are produced from a charge of loose tobacco and a filter plug by positioning a cigarette component in a chamber of a manually operated cigarette making machine, advancing the component from the chamber into a cigarette paper tube spaced on a nozzle aligned with the chamber a predetermined distance, positioning the other component in the chamber and advancing the other component into the paper tube a predetermined distance. A manual cigarette maker operates to introduce, stepwise, a charge of tobacco and a filter plug into a cigarette paper tube affixed to the cigarette maker. The cigarette maker has a housing with the chamber adapted to receive the tobacco charge and filter plug, a nozzle adapted to hold the paper tube in communication with the chamber and a means for compressing the tobacco charge and filter plug for introduction into the paper tube. An elongated plunger has a stop forming an end wall of the housing chamber for injecting the tobacco charge and filter plug, stepwise, into the paper tube. First and second stop means on the housing are associated with the stop on the plunger for defining tobacco receiving and filter receiving compartments in the housing chamber. To properly index the cigarette components in the cigarette paper tube the axial length of the plunger is less than the axial length of the tobacco receiving compartment.

United States Patent 91 Paynter 1March 20, 1973 METHOD FOR CIGARETTE MAKING [76] Inventor: Julian L. Paynter, 915 North College Avenue, Salem, 1nd. 47167 [22] Filed: March 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 122,443

' 52 US. Cl ..131/72 [51] Int. Cl ..A24c 5/42, A24c 5/52 [58] Field ofSearch ..l3l/72,70,71,75

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,779,338 1/1957 Himoff ..131/72 3,491,768 1/1970 ..131/72 2,830,594 4/1958 Policansky ..131/61 A R2l,007 2/1939 Davidson ..131/61 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 446,191 4/1936 .Great Britain ..131/72 521,607 5/ 1940 Great Britain ..13 1/72 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-John F. Pitrelli Attorney-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan & Kurucz [5 7 ABSTRACT Filtertip cigarettes are produced from a charge of I ponent into the paper tube a predetermined distance.

A manual cigarette maker operates to introduce, stepwise, a charge of tobacco and a filter plug into a cigarette paper tube affixed to the cigarette maker. The cigarette maker has a housing with the chamber adapted to receive the tobacco charge and filter plug, a nozzle adapted to hold the paper tube in communication with the chamber and a means for compressing the tobacco charge and filter plug for introduction into the paper tube. An elongated plunger has a stop forming an end wall of the housing chamber for injecting the tobacco charge and filter plug, stepwise, into the paper tube. First and second stop means on the housing are associated with the stop on the plunger for defining tobacco receiving andfilter receiving compartments in the housing chamber. To properly index the cigarette components in the cigarette paper tube the axial length of the plunger is less than the axial length of the tobacco receiving compartment.

1 Claim, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEUmzown ISHEET 10F 4 INVENTOR JUL/4 PA/M7612 ATTORNEYS PATENTEUHARZOISH SHEET l 0F 4 INVENTOR PAH A1752 BY 5 )mga ATTORNEYS METHOD FOR CIGARETTE MAKING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Manual cigarette making machines have been available primarily in two types. One type employs a socalled apron for forming a cylinder of tobacco which is rolled over and entrapped in a sheet of cigarette paper having a gummed edge. Such machines tend to be bulky and, in operation, require a technique which is particularly difficult to master. Other cigarette makers are designed to stuff tobacco into paper tubes containing a filter tip. Such manual tobacco stuffing machines have proved unsatisfactory since the cost of preformed filter tipped paper tubes is prohibitive. Additionally, such machines require the use of various support systems to properly control the depth of insertion of the tobacco charge relative to the fixed tube and filter tip. Such machines are difficult to use and have not been accepted by the smoking public.

Typical manual tobacco stuffing machines subject to the above defects employing a preformed cigarette paper tube and filter tip are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,124,141 and 3,127,900.

A revolutionary manual cigarette making apparatus has been introduced for forming a filter tip cigarette by injecting, in one step, a charge of tobacco and filter plug into a preformed cigarette tube. The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,768 has enjoyed a particularly high degree of consumer acceptance.

In some instances it may be desirable to make afilter cigarette from a charge of tobacco and filter plug in two steps. A practical, efficient, simple and inexpensive two step process free of the defects of prior art two step processes permits greater versatility in the selection of cigarette components and in the order of injection of the components into the cigarette tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide a stepwise method for the formation of a filter tipped cigarette from a charge of tobacco and filter plug which demands a minimum of skill, yet is versatile and provides for automatic indexing of the components in the cigarette tube.

It is another object of the invention to provide a .manual cigarette making apparatus capable of alpredetermined distance. One of the cigarette components is positioned in the chamber of thecigarette maker. The component is advanced into the cigarette paper tube a distance equal to the length of the-component. The other of said components is then positioned in the chamber and, thereafter, advanced into the cigarette a distance equal to the length of the component.

In another embodiment the cigarette paper tube may be reversed on the nozzle after the first cigarette component is advanced into the paper tube. In this manner, the filter component and tobacco component are introduced into opposite ends of the paper tube.

The above process offers considerable versatility. One may selectively introduce the filter plug or charge of tobacco into the paper tube initially a distance equal to the length of the cigarette component and thereafter drive such component to its proper position within the tube by injecting the other component into the tube a distance equal to the length of that component. If desired, the filter plug and charge of tobacco may be introduced into the paper tube at opposite ends thereof, thereby avoiding contact. The filter plug is introduced into the cigarette and indexed in its proper position. Thereafter the cigarette tube is reversed on the nozzle of the cigarette maker and the charge of tobacco is injected into the cigarette and indexed to its proper position abutting the filter plug. Similarly,-the components may be injected in reverse order.

Further advantages are obtained. The use of a preformed cigarette tube containing a filter plug is obviated, thereby reducing the cost of the cigarette components. Further, the dangers of the filter plug becoming misaligned in a preformed cigarette paper tube during storage are overcome.

A cigarette making apparatus is provided capable of alternately injecting a filter plug or charge of tobacco into a preformed cigarette paper tube. The apparatus has a housing containing a chamber adapted to receive a charge of tobacco or a filter plug. A nozzle aligned with one end of the chamber is mounted on the housing,

and adapted tohold a cigarette paper tube. Means for compressing arid moving the filter plug and tobacco into the cigarette paper tube are provided.

In order to properly align the filter plug and tobacco charge in the cigarette maker and to properly index'the components in the cigarette paper tube during injection, the cigarette maker is provided with an elongated plunger moveable transversely of the compressing means and mounted in the chamber of the housing. The plunger has a stop adjacent its remote end from the nozzle and defines one end wall of the chamber. A first stop means on the housing is associated with the stop on the plunger for defining a tobacco receiving compartment. A second stop means on the housing forward of the first stop means is in association with the stop on the plunger for defining a filter receiving compartment in the chamber. The axial. length of the plunger is less than the axial length-of the tobacco receiving compartment. A third stop means on the housing is associated with arresting means on the plunger to define the most forward position of the plunger with respect to the housing- The first and second stop means are spaced at predetermined intervals on the housing with respect to the thrid stop means to provide for proper insertion of the cigarette components in the cigarette tube.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, which isto be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating several preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION or THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a fragmentary, side elevational view of a cigarette making apparatus, partially in section, illustrating the sequence of operations involved in making a filter tipped cigarette by injecting a filter plug and a charge of tobacco, stepwise, into a preformed cigarette tube and illustrating the parts of the apparatus employed in the process;

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which a charge of tobacco and a filter plug are injected, stepwise, into a preformed cigarette tube;

FIGS. 9-12 show a third embodiment of the invention in which the cigarette paper tube is reversed after the charge of tobacco is inserted therein; and

FIGS. 13-16 depict a still further alternate embodiment of the invention illustrating the reversal of the cigarette paper tube after insertion of the filter plug.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a process for advancing a cigarette filter plug and a charge of tobacco into a preformed cigarette paper tube to produce a filter tipped cigarette. In general, the filter plug may be formed from conventional materials well known to those skilled in the art of cigarette making. A satisfactory filter plug is formed from a cylindrical rod of cellulose acetate.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the filter tip cigarette is formed in a manually operated cigarette making apparatus 10. The apparatus includes an elongated chamber 12 in the housing ofthe apparatus which is adapted to alternately receive a filter component and a charge of tobacco. Nozzle 14 is provided as an anchoring means for the unfilled cigarette paper tube. Nozzle 14 is in open communication and in axial alignment with chamber 12 for this purpose.

In order to advance the cigarette components into the preformed paper tube, slide 16 and plunger 18 are provided.

In the sequence illustrated by FIGS. 1-4, filter plug 20 is introduced into the cigarette making machine and positioned in the chamber of the machine. As shown in FIG. 2, slide 16 is advanced, thereby injecting plug 20 into the preformed cigarette tube 22.

For proper indexing and alignment each cigarette component; that is the filter plug and charge of tobacco, is introduced into the preformed cigarette tube a distance which is equal to the length of the component injected.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a charge of tobacco 24 is positioned in the chamber. The length of the tobacco charge is determined in part by the characteristics of the cigarette paper tube and by the degree of compaction desired in the formed cigarette. In general, the tobacco charge is of greater initial length than that required in the completed cigarette. During operation,

the charge is axially compressed to ensure a uniform the slide. A cigarette making apparatus which may be modified in accordance with the invention is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,491,768, the disclosure of such patent being expressly incorporated herein.

In a second embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 5-8, the charge of tobacco 24 is initially positioned within chamber 12. Slide 16 is actuated and the charge is driven into tube 22. In order to properly. orient charge 24 prior to injection within chamber 12, an indexing means such as a groove 30 transverse to slide channel 31 is provided. A filter plug indexing groove 32 is also provided. Prongs 34 are urged into the groove by a suitable biasing means.

After injection, filter plug 20 -is positioned in chamber 12 and properly indexed by means of the interaction between prongs 34 and groove 32. Thereafter, plug 20 is injected into tube 22 by the action of slide 16 and plunger 18, thereby driving charge 24 to its proper position in cigarette tube 22.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13-16, filter plug 20 is. injected into the cigarette tube. Thereafter, tube 22 is reversed on nozzle 14 as shown in FIG. 15. Next, tobacco charge 24 is positioned in proper orientation in chamber 12. Finally, charge 24 is injected into tube 22 abutting filter plug 20. The coaction between vertical surface 26 and housing stop 28 arrests the plunger to ensure a proper indexing of tobacco charge 24 in tube 22.

As shown in FIGS. 9-12 the above procedure is modified to permit initial insertion of tobacco charge 24 into tube 22 (FIGS. 9-10). Thereafter the tube is reversed on nozzle 14 and properly positioned filter plug 20 is injected into tube 22 and indexed by means of surface 26 and stop 28.

The cigarette making apparatus of the invention is specifically adapted for the stepwise formation of a filter tipped cigarette employing a charge of tobacco, a filter plug and a preformed cigarette paper tube. I-Iertofore, a satisfactory apparatus has been designed for receiving and compacting a filter plug and a charge of tobacco. Such apparatus is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,491,768. The housing and compacting mechanism of such patent may be suitably employed in the instant apparatus. Turning now to FIG. 13 the novel features of the present apparatus are illustrated. Plunger 18 is positioned in chamber 12 of apparatus 10. The elongated plunger is provided with the handle and bracket assembly as well as the locking system disclosed in the aforesaid US. Pat. No. 3,491,768. In order to index I and orient the tobacco charge and filter plug in the apparatus, grooves 30 and 32 are located perpendicular to the slide channel. Locating groove 30 is spaced with respect to housing stop 28 such that the tobacco receiving chamber formed by plunger stop 36 and chamber bore 12 is adapted to receive a charge of tobacco and, with the aid of plunger 18, to inject the charge a predetermined distance, equal to the desired length of the tobacco section of the cigarette, into preformed cigarette tube 22. The cigarette tube is placed over nozzle 14 prior to injection of the tobacco charge.

Similarly, locating groove 32 is also spaced with respect to housing stop 28, such that a filter receiving chamber formed by plunger stop 36 and chamber bore 12 is determined. As the plunger is advanced to inject the filter plunger into the cigarette tube the depth of penetration of the plug is controlled by the arresting mechanism of the apparatus to properly index the plug in the tube. In order to ensure proper indexing of the plug may cause tobacco to be expelled from the distal end of the cigarette.

It will be appreciated that other suitable housings and compacting mechanisms may be utilized in the apparatus.

In view of the foregoing, the aforementioned objects and advantages are effectively attained. Although several somewhat preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that the invention is in no sense limited thereby, but is to be determined by the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A method for making a filter tip cigarette employing a manually operated cigarette maker having a chamber for alternately receiving a filter component and a tobacco component, a nozzle means for holding a cigarette paper tube in axial alignment with said chamber and means for advancing the contents of the chamber into the paper tube a predetermined distance comprising in sequence, the steps of:

a. positioning one of said cigarette components in the chamber;

b. advancing said one component into the cigarette tube a distance equal to the length of the one component;

c. positioning the other of said components in the chamber;

(1. reversing the cigarette tube on said nozzle; and

e. advancing the other component into the cigarette a distance equal to the length of the other component. 

1. A method for making a filter tip cigarette employing a manually operated cigarette maker having a chamber for alternately receiving a filter component and a tobacco component, a nozzle means for holding a cigarette paper tube in axial alignment with said chamber and means for advancing the contents of the chamber into the paper tube a predetermined distance comprising in sequence, the steps of: a. positioning one of said cigarette components in the chamber; b. advancing said one component into the cigarette tube a distance equal to the length of the one component; c. positioning the other of said components in the chamber; d. reversing the cigarette tube on said nozzle; and e. advancing the other component into the cigarette a distance equal to the length of the other component. 